Many future actors aspiring to careers in the world of theatre must overcome significant symbolic and economic obstacles, first and foremost by securing a place in recognised drama schools. Since 2015, the Prépa’Théâtre 93 programme has enabled young people aged 18 to 25 to prepare for the entrance exams of leading theatre schools in France and the French-speaking world. Based in Seine-Saint-Denis and firmly committed to promoting social diversity in the arts, the programme recruits its students through an audition process. Some students are selected from the means-tested “Equal Opportunities” programme in secondary schools, while others are drawn from three partner conservatoires in the Seine-Saint-Denis region (Bobigny, Aubervilliers and Pantin) with the support of the non-profit association 1000 Visages.

Consisting of 1,000 hours of training spread over two years (approximately 35 hours per week), the preparatory class brings together intensive stage training with an immersion in the fundamental aspects of the dramatic arts and an introduction to theatrical culture in partnership with Université Paris 8. Participating students have the opportunity to take entrance exams from the end of the first year. The programme also maintains a strong link with contemporary dramatic production: hosted by the MC93 – Maison de la Culture de Seine-Saint-Denis, a performing arts centre in Bobigny – it allows students to learn in a professional artistic environment and to engage in regular exchanges with the centre’s team as well as with visiting companies. Overseen by artists and educators, Prépa’Théâtre 93 encourages collective projects whilst ensuring that the individuality of each student can flourish.

Since 2016, the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès has accompanied this training programme as part of its long-term partnership with MC93. The Foundation’s Artists in the Community programme seeks to bolster social diversity, combat inequality in the arts and encourage artists’ engagement with the community. Through Prépa’Théâtre, which has been officially recognised by the Ministry of Culture as an artistic training initiative, the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès works together with a new generation of artists whose backgrounds and journeys promise to diversify and enrich the French performing arts scene. Amongst the first cohorts of Prépa’Théâtre 93, one-third of students were accepted into leading French drama schools for the following year. In 2020, six students earned places, while in 2021 seven students out of a total of twelve were offered the chance to enrol. The 2021-2022 school year will welcome the seventh cohort of Prépa’Théâtre 93, made up of six boys and six girls eager to pursue demanding training programmes that will act as a springboard to the artistic careers to which they aspire.